SMF Multicast Session Management for 5G Resource Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently providing multicast/broadcast services to multiple terminals in a specific area, particularly in scenarios like media services, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and massive cellular Internet of things (CIoT), where resource-efficient data transmission is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a session management function (SMF) in a wireless communication system that manages the establishment of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions for multicast broadcast services (MBS), including authentication procedures with an application server (AS) and unified data management (UDM), to facilitate secure and efficient data transmission to multiple terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted to each terminal via unicast, then individual data transmission is achieved, but resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast data transmissions into a single multicast transmission by establishing a shared PDU session between the SMF and multiple UEs. The SMF acts as a common anchor point that consolidates data flows destined for multiple terminals, thereby improving network resource efficiency while maintaining reliable delivery to each recipient.
Solution Approach 2:
The PDU session established by the SMF serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a control plane reference point for session management, a user plane anchor for data transmission, and a multicast distribution tree root for serving multiple UEs. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient group communication while maintaining individual session control.
2Loss of energy
If multicast/broadcast service is provided to multiple terminals, then resource efficiency is improved, but service authentication and authorization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF serves as an intermediary between the UDM and multiple UEs for authentication and authorization. The UDM provides subscription information to the SMF, which then manages the authentication state and authorizes multiple UEs for the multicast PDU session. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by centralizing authentication management rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer authentication between multiple terminals and the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The UDM performs preliminary authentication and generates subscription information before the actual multicast service delivery. The SMF uses this pre-authenticated subscription information to establish the PDU session and authorize multiple UEs. This preliminary authentication action reduces the complexity during the actual service provision phase, as the authentication state is already established.
3Productivity
If 5G-based multicast/broadcast service is provided, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but service control and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service management functions by separating the control plane (SMF) from the user plane (multicast data transmission). The SMF handles session management, authentication, and authorization as distinct control functions, while the actual multicast data transmission operates independently. This segmentation allows efficient data transmission while maintaining manageable service control through the modular SMF architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The SMF acts as a mediator that simplifies service control by centralizing session management functions. It receives PDU session establishment requests from UEs, coordinates with the UDM for authentication, and manages the multicast session state. This intermediary role consolidates control complexity into a single manageable entity rather than distributing it across multiple network elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication technique for converging IoT technologies with 5G communication systems for supporting a higher data transfer rate beyond the 4G systems, and a system therefor. The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, health care, digital education, retail businesses, security and safety-related services, etc.) on the basis of 5G communication technologies and IoT-related technologies. The present invention provides a method for providing an MBS service in a communication system.